Accommodation levels in Rio de Janeiro are anticipated to be at full occupancy during the conference. While it is not the responsibility of the United Nations to procure accommodation for the media, it should be noted that the Brazilian national organizing committee for Rio+20 has committed to blocking a minimum of 500 hotel rooms in Rio de Janeiro for media covering the conference. Costs must be covered by the media. For more details, visit: http://www.rio20.gov.br For information regarding room availability please contact: Terramar Travel Agency

Clean energy revolution will put world on safer, more equitable path ? Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a clean energy revolution to help transform the global economy and put the world on a cleaner, safer, more equitable path.

He said the UN system is advocating three energy targets which will help address the ?energy poverty? that exists in much of the developing world. Together, the objectives will enhance equity, revitalize the global economy and help protect the world?s ecosystems. They are ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling energy efficiency, and doubling the renewable energy share in the overall global energy mix.

As part of his visit, Mr. Ban met today with various leaders of the energy industry, including those involved in wind, solar and natural gas, to discuss sustainable energy for both the developed and developing world.

He also toured the US Department of Energy?s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, the country?s only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. While there, Mr. Ban noted that as the evidence and impact of climate change increases, so does the urgency to develop new, clean ways of generating and using energy.

The Secretary-General pointed out that just three per cent of current global energy investment could finance access to modern energy for all.

Energy and sustainable development also featured in Mr. Ban?s address last night to the University of Denver?s Josef Korbel School of International Studies, where he received an award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the UN, empower women and promote sustainable development. He noted that for most of the last century, the world mined its way to growth and burned its way to prosperity.